Mexico’s Most Underrated City

Merida: Safety, Culture, Art, Cuisine, Beauty

Everyone knows that if you want a bustling metropolis you go to Mexico City. If you want a coastal paradise you should head to Playa del Carmen. But there is one destination that slips under the radar but consistently stuns and its name is Merida. Many Mexicans agree that Merida is one of the most beautiful cities in the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s also one of the safest in the country, highly cultural, artsy and only 20 miles away from the beach. There a many reasons to plan a visit that you won’t ever want to leave!

Art, culture, and history

With its colonial past, Merida has rich culture, history, art, and traditions. Enjoying the city to the fullest means discovering all of it. All you need to do is get out and walk around. From the lavish, pink buildings on Main Square, to the Cathedral, to government buildings to an abundance of parks. The Museum of Modern art is set around a lush courtyard and regularly shows exhibitions by Yucatan artists. Don’t forget to get out of the city for a day trip and visit the Mayan ruins. Once you see them you will never be the same again.

Culinary scene

The regional gastronomy is so amazing that you won’t believe you only knew about tacos, fajitas, and burritos. Every dish you eat in the Yucatan uses local products that won’t be found in other Mexican states. There are many dishes and cuisines that will blow your mind. Be prepared to stay a while if you want to explore all of the food.

Live like the locals

If you’re looking to meet the locals, heat out after sunset when the night air is cool and gives you a break from the relentless heat of the day. Night and day markets and nightly music and dancing by Santa Lucia and Santa Ana squares are where the actions happen. There are also dances on Main Square every Monday night at 8pm.

As the capital of the Yucatan state, Merida has around one million inhabitants. But you will never feel like it’s crowded or unsafe. In fact, walking around the city will make you marvel at the peaceful atmosphere around you. Going out at night is a regular activity for both locals and foreigners so the vibe is very carefree. One-way streets only allow so much traffic. Watch out for city buses zooming by and taxis honking at everyone on foot. Other than that, you will be fine. You will be in Mexican heaven actually. We promise.

If you are looking to get away from it all, either for a short vacation or forever, let the team at Merida Property Management (MPM) help you find the best place to let your adventures begin. We can help you find a rental for a week, a month or long term. Whatever you are deciding to do, we can help.